Demystifying EHCPs - What Every Educator and Parent Should Know

When it comes to supporting children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), few things cause more confusion—or more questions—than Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs).

If you’ve ever found yourself Googling “How does the EHCP process work?” late at night, or feeling unsure what’s supposed to happen once an EHCP is in place, you’re not alone.

So, what is an EHCP?

An EHCP is a legal document that outlines the specific educational, health, and social care support a child or young person needs. It’s issued by the local authority and is designed to make sure the right help is in place, especially when a child’s needs go beyond what’s possible through regular SEND Support in school.

EHCPs cover children and young people from age 0 to 25 and include everything from desired outcomes to funding arrangements and therapy input. Crucially, they make the support legally binding—which means schools and services have a duty to deliver what’s set out in the plan.

Who can request an EHCP?

Parents, carers, schools (usually via the SENDCO), or even the young person themselves (if over 16) can request an EHC Needs Assessment. This is the first step in deciding whether an EHCP is needed.

The local authority has six weeks to decide whether to proceed with an assessment. If they do, they’ll gather professional input—from educational psychologists, therapists, school staff, and families—to decide whether a plan is necessary.

What’s actually in an EHCP?

A typical EHCP includes:

• The child’s views and aspirations (Section A)

• Their SEND needs (Section B)

• Health and care needs (Sections C + D)

• Outcomes to work towards (Section E)

• The support and provision needed (Section F, and G–H for health and care)

• School placement (Section I)

• Funding and supporting documents (Sections J + K)

Section F is especially important - it outlines the specific, detailed, and measurable provision that must be delivered.

Why do EHCPs sometimes feel so difficult to navigate?

In theory, EHCPs should offer clarity and consistency. In reality, delays, vague language, and funding questions often cause confusion. It’s also common for parents to feel overwhelmed during the process, especially if they’re new to SEND support systems.

The key? Collaboration.The most effective EHCPs are co-produced—with input from families, schools, and professionals. And the strongest outcomes happen when everyone stays engaged, from the initial assessment through to the annual reviews.

SkillsBridge

EHCPs aren’t perfect, but when done well, they can be life-changing. They help children access the support they need and deserve, and ensure that no one’s needs are left to chance.

That’s why many schools are investing in SkillsBridge and our wider training offer — to build confidence, improve practice, and strengthen support across the board.

Whether you’re looking to deepen your team’s understanding of the EHCP process, embed more inclusive classroom strategies, or create a consistent approach to SEND across your setting, we can help you get there.

If you’d like to explore what that could look like for your school, we’d love to talk.

Next Week - Foetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorders